Spotlight: QuitoFootball and Life with not too many modern accoutrements

With a breathtaking view of its mountains from any vantage
point in the capital city, Quito is home to a generous and happy people and it
shows. Expect kisses on the cheek with greetings and strangers asking amusing
and harmless personal questions!

In the “centro historico” witness the city’s colonial architecture. Quito’s nightlife
is also abundant with clubs, bars, theatre, events, concerts and international
restaurants. Fiestas are celebrated until early dawn. Soccer is the way of
life—experience the passion that people have about the sport and attend a game!
Every game is like the US’ 4th of July, with fireworks and
celebrations. From a westernized perspective, Quito a magical place where the
majority of the people live near the poverty line, bullfights are still practiced,
‘80s and ‘90s music are in, and everyone (even older generations) dance the
salsa.

Must See Sight Parque Nacional Cotopaxi

Predominant
Language Spanish is Ecuador’s official
language of, however, Quichua is the language spoken by indigenous bilingual
groups (with Quichua as mother tongue and Spanish as a second language)

Most memorable
experience Volunteering at an orphanage in
Quito, for children with special needs

Best places for a single
girl or groups of girls to go out Love
Discoteca – Ladies Night on Thursday (free entry and shots before 11pm)

Safety & Medical Tips

Walking alone and at night Safety Scale - 2: Recommended that you walk in groups or chaperoned by a male

Try to avoid walking around at night if at all possible. Quito
is a very dangerous city and there are constant robberies. Most of my
friends (both Ecuadorians and expats) have at one time been robbed, some at
gunpoint.
Tips: Be aware of your surroundings, never take money out in front of other
people, be careful when standing in front of ATMs, place your purse/bag in
front of you when you are walking (and hold it for dear life), never carry
valuable items with you or flash your valuables in public, and only carry the
amount of money you need for that day

Over-the-counter drugs available for curing women’s infectionsThe good thing about Ecuador is that you
would never need a doctor’s prescription for antibiotics, anti-inflammatory
medicines, etc. There are pharmacies all over Quito, and you can pretty
much get anything there. A well-known pharmacy in Quito is Fybeca and
they are located in almost every street corner

Process to acquire birth control pillsBirth control pills are easy to obtain, you can just ask for
them at the pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription

Chia-Hsin Chung

With contributions by Chia-Hsin Chung Chia-Hsin Chung taught English and lived in Quito for 1 year, after leaving a decade-long consulting career.